compromise &&

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Ghostlystar's icy-blue eyes stared out at the four leaders facing him, and he lifted his head. Dim beams of sunlight cascaded from holes in the root-roof of his den, illuminating the dark wraith like some forgotten deity in the shadowy recesses of a hidden temple. The black tom let his eyes coast over Stormstar and Jasminestar before his lips curled into a disappointed scowl at Amethystar and Firestar for throwing their Clans into unnecessary suicide.

"I'm didn't call ya here t'scold or yell at ya," the tom finally spoke, authority gilding his words. "And I don't expect ya t'do any special favors fer us since I had m'Clan come after ya. What ya did was entirely y'ar decision and, as leaders, ya have tha' right t'do what ya please with y'ar Clan. However, there are consequences fer what ya did. Though I believe now tha' this Tribe exists, I am also assured tha' we cannot fight this thing with force. It's somethin' we must simply go on with."

He turned to all the leaders. "Ya'r welcome here as long as you like," he told them," and if ya want someone from m'Clan t'go out to ya'r respective homes and give them th'word o' what has happened, I will b'more than happy t'send out th'orders." His tail curled over his powerful limbs.</sub>

[SHADE. :D]

Fire burnt in the depths of Amethyststar's eyes. The sleek black she-cat padded forward to stand between Firestar and Stormstar, her silky coat cut by wounds. The deepest, a vicious bite on her throat, still oozed blood. Amethyststar raised her head proudly as Ghostlystar's autoritive gaze swept over her. She felt no shame for what she had done. Amethyststar glanced over her shoulder, a twinge of pain wavering in her heart as she spotted Sunheart's limp body. She prayed to StarClan her grand daughter would be alright. Scrawltale would never forgive her if she was not.

Amethyststar felt her lip curl as Ghostlystar spoke. Who did he think he was, a father scolding his mischevious kits? The small she-cat narrowed her eyes, but nodded at what he said. She knew better than to betray his hospitality. "Most of our warriors can walk," she mewed. "We will aid the one's that cannot. I see no reason why he cannot go home as soon as our injuries have been seen to." Amethyststar lashed her tail. "Thankyou for your hospitality, but EclipseClan has a home of it's own." The she-cat stared at Ghostlystar, acknowledging him as her equal, and daring him to challenge her.

[FIREH!!]

_{Firestar nodded at Amethystar as she came to stand beside her. We showed the Tribe that they can't push us around anymore. If that's not a win in some way, I don't know what is. She meowed. Also, my clan is almost fit to head home. As soon as we are, we will be leaving. She meowed, her blue eyes cold.}

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>"Very well then," Ghostlystar said softly, nodding to the two she-cats. "If ya'r warriors are mostly unhurt, so b'it. I know ya both lost a life, Amethyststar, Firestar. B'careful goin' home." The black tom felt that he had no reason to challenge either femmes and so he swept aside Amethystar's daring stare and Firestar's cold tone. The blue-eyed male turned his eyes to Jasminestar and Stormstar.

"Ya too lost a life, right, Jasminestar? Is y'ar Clan alright. And Stormstar, is ya'r Clan ready t'go?" He tilted his head in concern for the other Clan leaders. Ghostlystar had lost a life, true, but he wasn't exhausted from fighting Shadestar and keeping most of the Tribe at bay.</sub>

[[xoxo] shard. :)]

Stormstar

[/b]

Wondering where this life ^{will lead}
Answering many desperate _{a plea}
In any weather or terrain
I'll strive and fight to ease all pain[/center]

At request, Stormstar entered Ghostlystar's den. He didn't blame Amethyststar and Firestar for their hostile retorts. After all, though he respected the BrightClan leader, he didn't exactly appreciate being scolded and worried over like a helpless kit. He knew how to lead and protect his Clan on his own, thank you. He wasn't an apprentice anymore, he was chosen to be deputy in the first case for a reason. "CloudClan should be all ready soon, thank you." the gray tom mewed evenly, only a slight bit of true gratitude in his tone. His lightning yellow eyes only met the electric blue ones of Ghostlystar's for a moment before staring away at something unknown, as if he were thinking.[/size][/blockquote]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

<sub>Didn't he not just say that he wasn't scolding them? Why the StarClan were they thinking that? He could tell from their facial expressions that it was so. He was only being nice and concerned, but of course, this would be the thanks he would get. Sure thing, just like some stupid petty argument between kits and he was the one who didn't want to do something but came to help when he realized that they got in deeper than they could go. Bloody typical.

"Well, since ya'r so sure that ya don't need any help from someone who's just tryin' t'be kind, then fine. It's no affrontal t'me, really, since ya obviously think I don't care. I just love th'fact that just because I tryin' t'care about m'guests like I do m'own Clan, that I just get these beautiful reactions from all o'ya," Ghostlystar said coldly. "I already said I wasn't scoldin' ya. I don't really care about y'ar decision t'go fight some Tribe. But ya'r here, in m'Clan, so I jus' thought it would be nice o' me t'check on the health..." He broke off.

"Very well. Ya say that y'ar respective Clans are ready. Alright," Ghostlystar said with a resigned sigh. He was tired of being shut down by the others just because his ways of leading were different than theirs. It was treason against StarClan to treat guests with kindness now?

"StarClan watch over ya...since it seems t'be a crime fer me t'try to," he muttered the last part inaudibly.</sub>[/sub]

[SHADE. :D]

Amethyststar rolled her eyes. She was glad for the shelter Ghostlystar had offered her clan. But she remembered his harsh words at the Gathering. He had acted as though she did not care for her clan. And that had hurt. Amethyststar nodded curtly. "Thankyou," she mewed, voice even. "May StarClan watch over us all." The she-cat turned and padded away, her tail drooping. Her black pelt gleamed dully in the evening sunshine. It was time EclipseClan left. Families and friends back home would be worried sick. Amethyststar shivered as Corbynfeather's face speang into her mind. Rage swept over her along with realization. He had not attended the battle. When she had specifically asked him to...

No matter. She would deal with him later.

[lonelylove :D]

Jasminestar stood in silence, her bright emerald eyes on Ghostlystar. The Brightclan leader had invited them into his den to talk. About the Tribe, she knew.
The big battle had ended hours ago, but the gory scenes that the Serenityclan leader had witnessed replayed over and over in her mind. Cats had fallen, left and right. Many had been injured. Others had died. She herself had lost a life to a vicious Tribe cat. Her muscles ached, as did the long scores on her flank. She felt like sleeping for moon, but she had more important things to do.
And now, after the bloodbath, here she was. In Brightclan's camp. In Ghostlystar's den. If it had not been for Brightclan, they might have all died. She felt guilty when she thought of the serious debt that her clan and the other clans would have to pay. Is that what he what to talk to them about?
Jasminestar had a million things to say to the other leaders, but she quieted down when Ghostlystar spoke. His words angered her when he "scolded" them, but she couldn't help but agree when he spoke about consquences that they all would face. Amethyeststar had turned to leave, but Jasminestar said, Wait! I have something to say.
She turned to the other leaders. Her eyes looked thoughtful as she betrayed her feelings about the battle to them. I see why you would be angry with him, Amethyeststar. Honestly, his first words made me angry too. She looked at Ghostlystar's eyes for a moment, but trained them back on Amethyeststar. But, what he said about the battle I believe is right. She turned to Firestar. What you said about the Tribe not pushing us around, I don't think that is right. When we fought them, we were the weaker ones. We did not push them around. They pushed us around. And if you believe otherwise, then you're a fool. She stared at Firestar defiantly. And the battle just gave them more confidence. They know we can't touch them now. They'll be more ready next time, and the tolls will be worse. Jasminestar broke from her brave, proud pose to bow her head and sigh. Taking a deep breath, she looked back up, a glint in her eye as a stream of watery sunlight fell on her eyes. That's what I have to say about this. Pulling herself together, she turned to Ghostlystar. Our debt to you is great enough. Unless there are any severe injuries in my clan, Serenityclan will also leave. Jasminestar hadn't had the chance to look at the state of her clan, because she had been called into Ghostlystar's den.

[/blockquote]

[(aurora) of the problematique]

_{Ghostlystar sighed softly, nodding at Jasminestar. The SerenityClan leader had reached the middle ground of the situation. The BrightClanner's shoulders slumped slightly as he faced her. "We have gathered all o'th'dead here," he said softly. "They are covered in pine fronds near our Clan's entrance." He ran a paw over his face. "I believe th'medicine cats have done more than their best t'deal with th'injuries. The Clans should b'ready t'go home." He smiled at Jasminestar, trying to be optimistic in this dark time.}

[SHADE. :D]

Amethyststar's flattened her ears, her amber eyes narrowed. The black she-cat had known the Tribe was a threat. She had not known the impossibility of fighting them. The cats that had already fought them had either died or been too weak to pass on their knowledge. Amethyststar flicked her tail in irritation. "Thankyou for your concern," she mewed, fighting to keep her voice even. "I thought nothing of the sort. I thought it more sensible to meet the Tribe head on than be caught with our tails between our legs. I was wrong. I know this." Amethytstar flicked her ears, swiping her tongue around the inside of her mouth. "Now, if you excuse me, I have a clan to take care of."

[FIREH!!]

_{At Ghostlystar's words, Firestar nodded, despair in her eyes. May Starclan watch over us all... She mewed in a defeated voice. Then she turned to Jasminestar. You're wrong. We lost, but we at least showed the tribe that we're not afraid of them. I know Starclan will help us... She retorted, her voice hard and returning the stare. She turned back to Ghostlystar and meowed in a softer tone, Thank you for your hospitality. Moonclan is in your debt. Now I must gather the dead and wouned, and lead them home. She meowed. Dipping her head to the two toms and the she-cat, she backed out of the den. She reached Wovenknot's side, a horrified look shadowing her eyes as she scanned the clearing. Are our cats ready to go home? She asked.}

[lonelylove :D]

Jasminestar flattened her ears in response, annoyed at their snotty responses. She could see right through their words. But she said nothing. They wouldn't listen to her now. But maybe another time.
She nodded curtly to Ghostlystar, said nothing to Firestar and Amethyestar, and slipped out into Brightclan camp. She had a clan to take care of.

[/blockquote][/color]

[SHADE. :D]

// How was Amethyststar being snotty? xD She just did what she thought was right. =P